Refugee Week 2009 'Freedom from Fear'

14-20 June 2009

 
Different Pasts - Shared Future, Council mural on Marrickville railway overpass bridge - launched Refugee Week 2007

The theme for Refugee Week 2009 was 'Freedom from Fear', recognising the more than 30 million people in the world who have been forced to leave their homes as they seek safety.

This year, Council has updated the Schools Activity Pack and sent it to all the primary and secondary schools in the local government area (LGA). It can be downloaded below.

Council also again organized the All Nations Soccer competitions.  A number of community events and activities across the Marrickville area celebrated the significant contributions made by refugees. These events aim to raise awareness of the journeys, experiences, culture and contributions of former refugees.

See below for photos and information from the Refugee Week 2009 events in Marrickville.

Coming soon: Music Night

Friday 17 July, 7-10pm, Marrickville Youth Resource Centre (MYRC)

Headspace and MYRC present a night celebrating Refugee Week and promoting mental health awareness.  Free event featuring Sydney's own Killa Queenz plus local bands, MCs and Sierra Leonean Cultural Performance Group. For ages 12 and over. Proudly drug and alcohol free!

• Venue: Marrickville Youth Resource Centre, Cnr Yabsley Ave and Northcote St, Marrickville
• Phone: (02) 9564 3222, Email: special-projects@bigpond.com
• More information: Please visit the Headspace website for more information

Launch of Refugee Week in Marrickville

Wednesday 10 June 2009, 4-5pm

Participants journeyed from the Scrapbook display at Marrickville Library to refreshments and student artworks at Kelby's Café, Marrickville. The event also launched the Sierra Leonean Womens Group, which produced the scrapbooks. The scrapbooks share the journey these women made from Sierra Leone to their new life in Australia.  Four of the Group performed a song in the library. Speakers included Tumah Bangura from the Women's group, the Mayor, Counsellor Sam Iskandar, and Dimitrios Kametopoulos from Marrickville Intensive English Centre.

Thanks to Kelby's Café for generously hosting the launch, and providing such delicious food. Thanks also to Marrickville Intensive English Centre, CBMRC Marrickville, the Sierra Leonean Women's Group and Marrickville Library.

Scrapbook Exhibition and Library Display

Marrickville Library, 10 June - 4 July 2009

Produced by members of the Sierra Leonean Women's Group as part of the 'Through My Eyes' project, the scrapbooks share the journey that they made from Sierra Leone to their new life in Australia.  The display also included traditional instruments and material.

Marrickville Library also displayed a variety of refugee-related books and resources.  A listing of the resources held by Marrickville library can be downloaded here.

Student artwork on display

Kelby's Café, Marrickville, and Last Drop Café, Dulwich Hill

Artworks by students of Marrickville Intensive English Centre were on display from 10 June to 7 July 2009. The artwork was based on sketches made of houses in Yabsley St, Marrickville. Students explored the meaning of houses and homes for them, linking with the Refugee Week theme of Freedom from Fear.

Marrickville Schools Indoor Soccer Competition

Wednesday 17 June, 9am - 3pm, Debbie and Abbey Borgia Community Recreation Centre

Ten local primary and secondary schools entered 30 teams in this free round robin indoor soccer tournament. Winners were:

• Primary Schools:
  3-4 Boys - Newington (def Newtown Public)
  3-4 Mixed - Athena School (def St Peters)
  5-6 Boys - Newington (def Newtown Public A)
   
• Secondary schools:
  U15 Boys - Canterbury Boys High A (def Canterbury Boys High B)
  U15 Mixed - Marrickville High B (def Athena B)
  U18 - Canterbury Boys High (def Marrickville High Mixed)

All Nations Indoor Soccer Competition

Sunday 21 June 2009, Debbie and Abbey Borgia Community Recreation Centre

The annual All Nations Soccer Tournament is a free community event that celebrates the contribution made by refugees to the Marrickville community. People of all ages formed teams to take part in this round robin competition, while a DJ added atmosphere and a barbeque fed the energetic players and spectators. A cross-section of community members and local services providers entered a total of 24 teams.

Winners of each division were:

• Mens Open - All Latinos
• Mixed Open - CBMRC Stars
• Youth 2 - Young Crew
• Youth 1 - Nationals
• Juniors - Tigeroos

Click here to download a series of photos from the event in PDF format.

Wrap with Love

Thursday 18 June, 10.30-12.30, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre

Newtown Neighbourhood Centre's two knitting groups came together for a combined knitting session and blanket display.  The blankets are knitted for refugees and people experiencing trauma overseas. It was a colourful event that provided information through posters and leaflets on refugee experiences and issues both in Australia and worldwide.  It also recognised the wonderful efforts by these two knitting circles.  These groups meet weekly, and new members are always welcome.  To join, contact Newtown Neighbourhood Centre on Ph: 02 9515 4755.

Food and Fashion Expo

Thursday 25 June 2009, 12-1pm, Petersham TAFE Crystal St Campus

The Food and Fashion Expo was hosted by Petersham TAFE cooking and sewing classes in conjunction with CBMRC. The food was fantastic and the fashion impressive.

Schools Activity Pack

This pack provides general information, ideas for activities, online and other resources, and an example teaching activity. The aim is to increase familiarity with issues faced by refugees, and to encourage local schools to celebrate the contributions that refugees make to the Marrickville area.

• Download the Refugee Week 2009 Schools Activity Pack (2MB, PDF file)